Climbing Mount Sinai is a night hike up a granite peak in Egypt's South Sinai, timed so you reach the summit for sunrise. From Eilat, most people do it as one overnight trip: you cross into Egypt at Taba in the evening, climb in the dark, watch the sun come up, then visit St. Catherine's Monastery at the foot of the mountain. You are back at the border by the afternoon.
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We run this trip from Eilat every week, so this guide sticks to what actually happens on the night. You will learn how the climb works, camel vs steps, what to pack for the cold, and which tour fits you best.
Mount Sinai at a glance
| Key fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | South Sinai, Egypt, above St. Catherine's Monastery |
| How long to spend | One overnight trip from Eilat. On our tours you meet the guide in Taba at 21:00 and are back in Taba by 15:00 the next day. |
| Best time | Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. Winter nights are very cold at the top. |
| How to get there | Cross from Eilat into Egypt at the Taba border, then drive through the desert with a guide |
| What it costs | See tour prices below. Our sunrise tours start from $100. |
| Booking tip | Pre-pay the Egypt visa and border fees on the booking form so you do not deal with them at the border |
Why people climb Mount Sinai
Mount Sinai, also called Jebel Musa, is the mountain where, by tradition, Moses received the Ten Commandments. It matters to Jews, Christians and Muslims, and you will often share the path with pilgrims singing hymns in the dark. Many people come for faith. Many others come for the view.
The view is the real surprise. As the sky turns from black to purple to orange, you see waves of bare red and gray mountains in every direction. There are no towns, no roads, just rock and light. Even guests who are not religious tell us it is the quietest, most moving moment of their trip.
At the base sits St. Catherine's Monastery, one of the oldest working Christian monasteries in the world. The monastery and the mountains around it are protected as the Saint Catherine Area UNESCO World Heritage Site. Climbing Mount Sinai and then visiting the monastery gives you both sides of the story in one morning.
Climbing Mount Sinai at night: how the sunrise climb works
Almost everyone climbs at night. The goal is to reach the top before dawn, and the dark also keeps you out of the desert heat. Here is what a typical night looks like on our trips from Eilat.
- Evening in Eilat. Eat a proper dinner and nap if you can. You will be awake most of the night.
- Taba border crossing. You cross from Israel into Egypt with your passport. On our tours you meet your guide on the Egyptian side at 21:00.
- Drive through the Sinai. The drive takes a few hours on desert roads. Most people sleep in the vehicle.
- The climb. You start walking in the middle of the night with a local Bedouin guide. Most of our groups reach the summit area in two to three hours, with tea stops along the way.
- Sunrise at the top. You wait wrapped in a blanket, then watch the sun rise over the peaks. Sunrise time changes through the year, and your guide plans the start time around it.
- The descent. Going down in daylight is when you finally see the path you climbed. Many people take the steps down for the views.
- Breakfast and the monastery. After a break, you visit St. Catherine's Monastery, then drive back to Taba, arriving by 15:00.
Bring a headlamp or small flashlight. The path is not lit, and a group of hundreds of small lights moving up the mountain is part of the experience.
Camel path vs the Steps of Repentance
There are two main routes up. Your choice shapes the whole climb, so it is worth thinking about before you go.
The camel path
This is the route most climbers use at night. It is a wide, winding trail with a gentle to moderate slope. It is longer, but much easier on your knees and lungs. Small Bedouin huts along the way sell hot tea, snacks and water.
Near the top, the camel path joins the final section, which is a steep set of uneven stone steps. Everyone walks this last part, including people who rode a camel. It is the hardest stretch of the night, so take it slowly.
The Steps of Repentance
This route is a long staircase of rough stone steps, traditionally said to be cut by a monk as an act of penance. Tradition counts them at around 3,750. It is shorter but very steep, and in the dark it is tiring and harder to see your footing.
We usually suggest the camel path up and the steps down in daylight. The steps pass a stone gateway and give great views of the monastery below. If you have weak knees, ask your guide about going down the camel path instead.
Should you ride a camel?
Bedouin camel handlers offer rides up most of the camel path. It is a good option if you are worried about stamina, have a minor injury or just want to save your energy for the steps. You pay the handler in cash on the spot, and prices are set locally and can change, so ask your guide what to expect on the night.
A few honest tips. Camel rides in the dark can feel wobbly, so hold on and lean back on the downhill bits. Camels also do not do the final steep steps, so you still walk the last part. Riding up and walking down is a popular mix.
What to bring for climbing Mount Sinai
Pack light, but pack warm. You will carry everything yourself unless you ride a camel. This is the list we give our own guests.
- Warm layers. A thermal top, a fleece and a windproof or insulated jacket. You sweat on the way up and freeze while you wait at the top.
- Hat, gloves and a scarf. These weigh almost nothing and make the sunrise wait bearable.
- Good walking shoes. Sneakers with grip or light hiking shoes. No sandals or flip flops.
- Headlamp or flashlight. A phone light works, but drains your battery fast in the cold.
- Water and snacks. At least one bottle of water, plus nuts, dates or energy bars.
- Cash in small notes. For tea, blankets, toilets and camels along the way.
- Your passport. You need it at the Taba border. Check that its validity meets Egypt's entry rules before you travel.
- Modest clothing for the monastery. Shoulders and knees covered. A long layer you already wear for the climb usually does the job.
Leave large bags, drones and anything valuable you do not need back in Eilat. A small daypack is all you want on the mountain.
Cold nights and the best time for a Mount Sinai sunrise
The number one mistake we see is people dressing for Eilat. The summit is high and exposed, and nights are cold all year. In winter, from about December to February, temperatures at the top can drop near or below freezing, and snow is possible on some nights.
Bedouin vendors near the summit rent blankets and thin mattresses, and you will be glad of them. Still, bring your own warm layers. A rented blanket on top of a good jacket is comfortable. A blanket on top of a T-shirt is not.
Here is how the seasons feel on the mountain.
- Spring (March to May): Our favorite time. Cool nights, clear skies and comfortable walking.
- Summer (June to September): The night climb is mild, but the morning descent and the drive can get hot. Bring extra water.
- Autumn (October and November): Pleasant nights and good visibility. Pack warmer as November goes on.
- Winter (December to February): Fewer crowds and very cold. Proper winter gear is a must.
Weekends and religious holidays bring bigger crowds to the summit. If you want a quieter Mount Sinai sunrise, ask us which dates tend to be calmer.
St. Catherine's Monastery after the climb
After the descent, you visit St. Catherine's Monastery at the bottom of the mountain. Greek Orthodox monks still live and pray here. Inside the walls you can see the basilica and the area linked by tradition to the Burning Bush.
Opening days and hours can change, and the monastery closes on some days and on religious holidays. Visitor areas inside may also be limited at times. Your guide checks this before your date, and if the monastery is closed you will still see it from outside.
Dress modestly, keep your voice down and follow the monks' rules on photos. Remember this is a working religious community first and a tourist site second.
Is climbing Mount Sinai right for you?
You do not need to be an athlete. You do need to be able to walk uphill for a few hours, at night, on uneven ground, after very little sleep. If you can walk a long city day without trouble, you can usually manage the camel path at a steady pace.
Here is who tends to love it, and who should think twice.
- Great for: Pilgrims, hikers, photographers and anyone who wants one big memorable night on their Israel trip.
- Good with care: Older travelers who walk regularly, especially with a camel ride for the long section.
- Think twice: Anyone with serious heart or breathing problems, recent knee injuries or a strong fear of the dark. Check with your doctor if you are unsure.
- Kids: Fit older children often do well. Very young kids usually find the night and the cold too hard.
If you are staying in Eilat for a few days, plan a lazy day after the climb. Our guide to the Red Sea in Eilat has easy beach and snorkel ideas that pair well with tired legs.
Border crossing, visas and safety
You cross at Taba with your passport. On our Mount Sinai tours, you can pre-pay the Egypt visa and border fees on the booking form, which saves you handling payments at the border. Entry rules for Egypt can change, so check the latest requirements for your nationality before you travel.
On safety, we keep things simple and factual. As of November 2026, travel advisories for the Sinai Peninsula are strict and can change quickly, and some governments advise against travel to parts of the region. Read the official advice for your country, such as the US State Department travel advisories, and check your travel insurance terms before you book.
On every trip you travel with a licensed guide and a local driver on the standard route between Taba and St. Catherine. If conditions change, we will tell you before your date and help you move or cancel your booking.
Mount Sinai tour options from Eilat compared
Here are the tours we run that include climbing Mount Sinai. Prices are starting prices per adult.
| Tour | Duration | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Sinai Sunrise Express from Eilat | Full day | Budget travelers comfortable crossing the border on their own | from $100 |
| Mount Sinai Sunrise and St. Catherine Tour from Eilat | Full day | First timers who want help at the border | from $280 |
| 17 Day Israel, Jordan and Egypt Tour | 17 days | A full trip across three countries | from $4,173 |
| Israel Jordan Egypt Tour: 20 Days | 20 days | Travelers who want almost every major site | from $5,375 |
Best value: the Sunrise Express
The Mount Sinai Sunrise Express from Eilat is our best value option, from $100 per adult. You meet your guide in Taba at 21:00, climb overnight for sunrise, have breakfast, visit St. Catherine's Monastery and are back in Taba by 15:00. It suits confident travelers and backpackers who are happy to cross the border themselves.
Easiest for first timers: Sunrise and St. Catherine
The Mount Sinai Sunrise and St. Catherine Tour from Eilat is a full day tour from $280 per adult. It includes border help, a guide and entry fees, plus the night climb, sunrise and the monastery. Choose this if it is your first time crossing into Egypt or you simply want less to think about.
Mount Sinai as part of a bigger trip
The 17 day Israel, Jordan and Egypt tour with Mount Sinai and a Nile cruise runs 17 days, from $4,173 per adult. It covers Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Petra, a Mount Sinai sunrise, a Nile cruise and Cairo. The 20 day Israel, Jordan and Egypt tour, from $5,375 per adult, adds Galilee, Masada and Wadi Rum. Both include hotels, so note that tours with flights or hotels are non-refundable.
If you would rather see the pyramids instead, the private Cairo tour from Eilat is a full day from $290 per adult. You can browse every Egypt trip on our Cairo and Egypt tours and guides page.
Tours that include Climbing Mount Sinai
Live prices and dates, hotel pickup on most tours, and a local team in Eilat that answers on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions about Climbing Mount Sinai
How long does it take to climb Mount Sinai?
Most of our groups reach the summit area in two to three hours on the camel path, including tea stops. Fit hikers can be faster, and slower walkers may take longer. The whole overnight trip from Taba runs from 21:00 to about 15:00 the next day.
How much does a Mount Sinai tour from Eilat cost?
Our Mount Sinai tours from Eilat start from $100 per adult for the Sunrise Express and from $280 per adult for the version with border help and entry fees. Egypt visa and border fees can be pre-paid on the booking form. Bring small cash for tea, blankets and camel rides.
When is the best time for a Mount Sinai sunrise?
Spring and autumn give the most comfortable nights and clear skies. Winter is quieter but very cold, sometimes near or below freezing at the summit. Summer nights are mild, but the morning descent gets hot.
Can you climb Mount Sinai from Eilat in one trip?
Yes. You cross the Taba border in the evening, climb overnight, see the sunrise and visit the monastery, then return to Taba by the afternoon. You do not need a hotel night in Egypt.
Is it better to take a camel or walk?
Walking the camel path is fine for most people with average fitness. A camel ride helps if you are worried about stamina or have a minor injury. Camels do not do the final steep steps, so everyone walks the last section.
What should I wear for climbing Mount Sinai?
Wear layers, good walking shoes, a hat and gloves, and bring a warm jacket even in warmer months. For the monastery, cover your shoulders and knees. Blankets can be rented at the top, but they are not a replacement for warm clothes.
Is climbing Mount Sinai difficult?
It is a moderate hike made harder by the dark, the cold and little sleep. The camel path is gradual, while the final steps are steep and uneven. Go slowly, drink water and take breaks at the tea huts.
Is climbing Mount Sinai worth it?
For most of our guests, yes. The sunrise over the Sinai mountains and the visit to St. Catherine's Monastery are hard to match anywhere in the region. If you can handle one tough night, it is one of the most memorable trips you can take from Eilat.
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Plan your trip
Climbing Mount Sinai is one night of effort for a sunrise you will remember for years. If it is your first time, we recommend the Mount Sinai Sunrise and St. Catherine Tour from Eilat, with border help, a guide and entry fees included. Day tours have free cancellation up to 36 hours before the start time, so you can book your date now and stay flexible.
Have a question about dates, fitness or what to pack? Message us on WhatsApp at 08-6338361 (international +972 8-633-8361) or email [email protected]. Our team in Eilat answers like locals, because we are. For more ideas, see our Egypt tours and guides, our list of things to do in Eilat, our Wadi Rum desert guide or the full Booking-Tours travel guide.
Cover photo: alljengi from Edinburgh, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons